Taiwan panel makers suffering

Chimei Innolux, the largest producer of its kind in Taiwan, reported combined revenue drop of 13.5 percent during March, and shipped 5.3 per cent less large-sized display panels and 29.55 million units of small and 21.5 per cent medium-sized models. AU Optronics is the second-largest display panel producer on the island, posted a drop of 7.7 per cent in its combined revenue for April.

Chunghwa Picture Tubes shrank 4.9 per cent from March or 21.4 per cent from last April. The company’s TFT (thin-film transistor) business unit also posted a five per cent monthly drop in combined revenue for April.

The only one making any cash is HannStar Display which saw a 10.4 per cent monthly growth in its combined revenue during the month. Analysts think that Taiwanese display panel makers are likely to turn around starting in June, when prices of the products are expected to bottom out. So now is probably a good time to buy.